The University of Cincinnati women?s soccer team (2-5-0) will open its Conference USA schedule at UAB on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. CT. The Bearcats will then travel to Tampa, Fla. for a 1 p.m. match on Sept. 26 against USF.

LAST WEEK: UC defeated rival Xavier University, 3-2, on Sept. 16 and now owns a 19-3-0 record all-time against the Musketeers. The Bearcats then made the trip to Gainesville, Fla. but came home with a 4-0 loss at the hands of the No. 9 Florida Gators.

ABOUT THE BLAZERS: The UAB Blazers (3-3-1) play host to UC following a 3-1 victory against in-state rival Alabama on Sept. 21.

Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Forbis is third in the conference with 37 saves. The offense is led by senior Tara Kidwell, who has netted four goals, good for eighth in Conference USA.

Paul Harbin (Mercer ?85) is in his ninth season as the head coach at UAB. The first and only coach in the history of UAB?s women?s soccer program, he holds a 82-73-11 record.

UC-UAB SERIES: The Bearcats hold a 6-3-0 edge in the all-time series history against the Blazers. UAB won last year?s meeting, 2-0, snapping a four-match win streak for UC.

ABOUT THE BULLS: The USF Bulls (1-2-2) play host to the Bearcats following a 1-1 tie against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 18. The Bulls entertain Louisville on Sept. 24.

The Bulls are led by junior Erica Lewis, who has scored two goals and added one assist for a total of five points. The Bulls have been outscored 9-5 this season, while outshooting their opponents by a 79-64 margin.

Head coach T. Logan Fleck (Old Dominion ?84) has compiled a 94-79-15 record in his ten seasons at the helm of the Bulls.

UC-USF SERIES: The Bearcats have won five of eight matches against USF. The Bulls won last season?s match, 2-0, breaking a three-match winning streak for Cincinnati.

?FRESH? FACES: A gang of newcomers has made its presence felt on the offensive side of the field for the Bearcats. Freshman Amanda Ryan and redshirt freshman Rachel Epps each scored their first career goal against Evansville on Sept. 12. The Bearcats started four freshmen and two sophomores in the match, energizing the squad and ultimately leading to a 2-0 victory. Sophomore first-year player Ana Farmer and freshman Cara Alldred, along with Ryan and Epps, have accounted for four of the Bearcats six goals this season.

X MARKS THE SPOT: The Bearcats continued their dominance in the cross-town rivalry with Xavier University with a 3-2 win on Sept. 16. UC has now won five straight in the series and holds a 19-3-0 edge in the all-time matchups between the two Cincinnati schools.

HALE SHUTS ?EM OUT: With her recent 2-0 shutout win against Evansville on Sept. 12, senior goalkeeper Tracy Hale moved into fifth place on the all-time shutout list with 13.5. She is 7.5 shutouts away from Julie Williams (1981-84).

GLENN NUMBER 10: Head coach Meridy Glenn currently ranks 10th in overall victories as a Division I head coach with 237. Her .612 (237-145-28) winning percentage in 21 seasons ranks 33rd all-time amongst Division I mentors.

C-USA POLL: The Bearcats have been picked to finish seventh in a preseason poll of Conference USA?s coaches. UAB, the 2003 regular season champions, has been selected to repeat, followed by Saint Louis, DePaul and Marquette.

UP NEXT: The Bearcats head back home to take on conference rivals Southern Mississippi and Tulane on Oct. 1 and 3, respectively. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. against the Golden Eagles and 1 p.m. against the Green Wave at Gettler Stadium.